Stunning Check-in: A Carefree Life Begins in the Countryside

In the mountains and forests,

More than ten miles away from Anping Village, in a relatively secluded and well-maintained dugout.

After the rain stopped, Wei Ningbing and her companion set off on their journey and only now arrived here.

Wei Ningbing felt lucky to have met Xia Ming right here at the stronghold.

She looked at the illusory form of Xia Ming opposite her, her expression calm yet tinged with something strange.

"I never expected that you were actually a forest ranger dispatched from Songyuan County."

The illusory Xia Ming remained calm and glanced at Sun Liang outside.

He then looked at Wei Ningbing in front of him, "Comrade Wei, you came all this way just to talk about this?"

Wei Ningbing shook her head, "Thank you for passing us the film roll last time, we learned a lot."

"I just did what I was supposed to do."

The illusory Xia Ming shook his head and chuckled, "I didn't expect Comrade Wei to have such a distinguished background."

"If I had known this would happen, I would have wasted my time making that trip."

Wei Ningbing shook her head, "Your caution is correct; I would have done the same."

Then, she changed the subject, "Did you take down that enemy spy stronghold?"

The illusory Xia Ming was slightly taken aback, then shook his head and chuckled, "Does it matter who it is?"

"important."

Wei Ningbing said solemnly, "The military gained quite a bit through that stronghold."

"But as a key figure in destroying the enemy's stronghold, he was a hero of this operation."

"But no one knows who it is; it has become a mystery for the military."

The illusory Xia Ming shook his head and smiled. "How did you guess it was me?"

Wei Ningbing hesitated for a moment, then said, "You captured two enemy agents before, and someone saw you."

"I'm guessing you got your information from them before you went there, right?"

The illusory Xia Ming feigned understanding: "So it was that kid who exposed me."

"Ask whatever you want."

Wei Ningbing paused briefly, then asked:

"Are those two enemy agents still alive? How did you determine that there was a problem there?"

The illusory Xia Ming shook his head, "The man tried to resist, and was killed on the spot."

"After the woman was arrested, she committed suicide by poisoning herself, and I threw her into the wild animals in the mountains."

"I saw a faint mark on a picture, which made me want to go and take a look."

As he spoke, he took two black backpacks from the nearby woodpile.

"The two enemy agents' things are all here; I didn't touch anything in the stronghold."

Immediately, he picked up the topographic map from under the pillow next to him and handed it over.

Wei Ningbing took the drawing and, sure enough, saw a very faint mark on it.

She looked at the two black backpacks. "Can I check if there's anything important in them?"

"Do as you please."

The illusory Xia Ming spread his hands and leaned against the wooden wall.

These two backpacks were left by Xia An a couple of days ago by his illusory body, Xia Ming, because he suspected that Wei Ningbing might find out about this place.

He only left a telescope inside; he didn't touch anything else.

Or perhaps it was of little use to him, and he had already taken some from the stronghold.

Wei Ningbing examined it carefully and confirmed that there was no important information inside.

She looked at the illusory Xia Ming, "I need to take these things back. You've done a good job this time. Have you considered joining the army?"

The illusory Xia Ming shook his head, "Where isn't it to protect Great Xia? I feel this kind of life is quite good, and I don't want to change places."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ningbing was slightly taken aback, seemingly understanding why he hadn't wanted credit back then.

She shook her head. "In that case, the ranger will continue to reserve it for you."

"How about you join the military's unofficial reconnaissance team and report directly to me?"

The illusory Xia Ming looked up at her, then lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought.

Wei Ningbing continued, "Your life will continue as usual, but if you encounter something like this again, you can report it to me."

"In addition to the benefits of a forest ranger, I will also provide you with compensation."

Upon hearing this, the illusory Xia Ming glanced at her again and nodded slightly.

"Can."

Wei Ningbing's expression remained calm, but a hint of joy appeared deep in her eyes.

She took out an ID card and handed it to the illusory Xia Ming, then said:

"This is a special reconnaissance work pass, valid only for our military and the police department. It can make things easier for you in many situations."

The illusory Xia Ming took it. "I understand. Is there anything else?"

A hint of suspicion flashed in Wei Ningbing's eyes. Why did this person seem somewhat distant?

It feels a bit different from that day.

She shook her head and told him a few words about the meeting place and precautions.

Then, he left with Sun Liang.

The illusory Xia Ming watched them leave, then turned and went back into the dungeon.

……

Anpingtun

At the Xie family dinner table, Xie's father glanced at Xie Lingyun, smiled, and asked:

"Lingyun, how are you feeling?"

"Good."

Xie Lingyun nodded, "Brother Xia... taught very diligently, and we learned a lot."

Mr. Xie nodded slightly, "You can't do any heavy work. Learning medicine and working in the clinic will be fine."

"This is an opportunity I begged your uncle to get for you, so you must seize it."

Xie Lingyun nodded: "I know, I won't let you down, Father."

Mr. Xie shook his head. "As long as you're doing well, nothing else matters."

"By the way, what did you think of Xia, the educated youth, after spending time with her this morning?"

"It's fine!" Xie Lingyun replied normally, unaware of anything amiss.

Xie's father nodded.

"I heard from your uncle that Qingci and Yunshu both deducted work points for Xia, the educated youth, to eat over there."

"If you feel it's too much trouble to go back and forth, you can do it that way. Your mother and I both support you."

Xie Lingyun looked up and vaguely sensed something unusual, but couldn't quite figure it out.

She shook her head. "I don't feel like I'm going through any trouble, so there's no need for that."

Upon hearing this, Xie's mother gently patted her head, her eyes filled with tenderness.

"That Xia educated youth was quite capable, whether it was hunting or gifts from others."

"There's a lot more meat in that yard than at home, so you'll eat better there."

Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun's beautiful eyes widened slightly, seemingly in surprise.

"Mother, why do you think that way?"

"My daughter thinks the food at home is pretty good, and isn't this just going there to freeload?"

Mr. Xie shook his head with a wry smile, "What are you talking about? Didn't we already deduct work points?"

"Yun Shu and the others all get three points. If that's not enough, then we'll get four or five points."

"Look at you, you're not eating well at home, you've become so thin!"

"I..." Xie Lingyun opened her mouth but couldn't speak, tears glistening in her eyes.

So that's why her parents went to the clinic to get her there?

Mother Xie sighed, took Xie Lingyun's hand, and said earnestly:

"Your father and I only have you as our child. We don't expect anything else, we just want you to be well."

"Try talking to Xia, the educated youth, and see if we can deduct a little more work points from him."

"We don't need your work points, but it's hard to get meat."

"I……"

Xie Lingyun frowned slightly, meeting her parents' expectant gazes, she couldn't bear to refuse.

She lowered her head and said, "I understand. I'll ask Brother Xia this afternoon."

"good!"

Mr. and Mrs. Xie nodded happily, exchanged a glance, and their eyes seemed to show the satisfaction of a successful scheme.

With her head bowed, how could Xie Lingyun possibly see this?